Windows 11
cheat codes.

Delete the previous whole word in many text fields and editors. App behaviour can vary.

Open the Quick Link menu for Terminal, Device Manager, Disk Management, Task Manager and more.

Open Windows Terminal as administrator on English-language installations. Approve the security prompt only when elevated access is needed.

Open Task Manager directly.

Open the Windows security screen when an application is difficult to reach or close.

Open Clipboard History. Windows asks you to enable it the first time.

Open the screen-snipping overlay to capture part of the display.

Open the emoji, symbol and special-character panel.

Start Windows voice typing in the active text field.

Open Snap Layouts for arranging the active window.

Snap the active window to the left or right side of the screen.

Move the active window to another monitor.

Create a new virtual desktop.

Switch between virtual desktops.

Close the current virtual desktop and move its windows to the adjacent desktop.

Open Task View to see windows and virtual desktops.

Show or hide the desktop instantly.

Minimise all windows.

Restore windows that were minimised with Win + M.

Open the active window's system menu: Move, Size, Minimise, Maximise and Close. Useful for an off-screen window.

Close the active application. From the desktop, open the Windows shutdown dialog.

Create a new folder in File Explorer.

Delete the selected file without using the Recycle Bin. Recovery is not guaranteed.

Move focus to the address bar in File Explorer and most browsers.

Rename the selected file or folder.

Open the context menu for the selected item—the keyboard equivalent of right-click.

Open File Explorer.

Open Windows Settings.

Choose a display mode: PC screen only, duplicate, extend or second screen only.

Open Cast to connect to a supported wireless display.

Lock the PC immediately.

Switch between installed input languages and keyboard layouts.

Open Settings at System > About for device and Windows specifications.

Ask Windows to wake or recover the display when the screen is blank or black. The screen may blink or beep.

Open Reliability Monitor: a timeline of application crashes, Windows failures, failed updates and other reliability events.

Open Resource Monitor for detailed CPU, memory, disk and network activity.

Open Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool for specific prevalent threats. It is not a replacement for antivirus protection.

Open detailed System Information about hardware, components, drivers and the software environment.

Open DirectX Diagnostic Tool for display, graphics, sound and input information.

Open Task Manager.

Open Event Viewer to inspect Windows, application and service logs.

Open Performance Monitor for counters, reports and diagnostic data sets.

Open Device Manager to inspect hardware and drivers. Changing or removing drivers can affect the device.

Open Disk Management. Inspecting is safe; changing partitions or formatting volumes can destroy data.

Open the Services console. Disabling essential services can make Windows or applications unstable.

Open System Configuration for advanced startup troubleshooting. Incorrect changes can prevent normal startup.

Open the legacy Disk Cleanup utility. Review every selected category before deleting files.

Open the classic Programs and Features control panel for installed desktop programs.

Open the classic Network Connections window for network adapters.

Open classic Power Options.

Open classic System Properties, including computer name, protection and advanced settings.

Open the classic Control Panel.

Open Windows Features. Enabling or disabling components may require a restart.

Open advanced user-account configuration. Account and sign-in changes can affect access to the PC.

Open the current user's Startup folder.

Open the all-users Startup folder. Changes affect every user and may require administrator permission.

Open the current user's temporary-files folder. Do not remove files that are in use or whose purpose you do not recognise.

Open Registry Editor. Incorrect registry changes can damage applications or prevent Windows from starting.

Open Command Prompt.

Open Windows PowerShell.

Open Windows Terminal when it is installed.

Show the exact Windows edition, version and OS build.